Agreement to share climate expertise

8 April 2010

Met Office climate scientists will be sharing expertise with an Australian research institute as part of a new exchange program.

Under a new agreement, scientists from the Met Office Hadley Centre will work with their counterparts from the Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence (QCCCE). They will share important data to improve understanding of climate change and better inform responses to the issue.

Kate Jones, Climate Change and Sustainability Minister for the Queensland Government, said: "The UK's Met Office Hadley Centre is the UK's foremost climate change research centre and a world leader in climate science. This agreement strengthens its collaboration with the Bligh Government's Queensland Climate Change Centre of Excellence.

"Queensland scientists will have greater access to the specialised modelling expertise at the Met Office. This international collaboration between the two agencies will also build capability and knowledge on the big challenges confronting our science and research community.

Under the fellowship program, four scientists from the Met Office Hadley Centre will visit Queensland for up to six months over the next two years to work on Queensland-focused climate science research projects. In return, Queensland scientists will also work at the Met Office Hadley Centre in Exeter.

Chris Gordon, Head of Met Office Hadley Centre, said: "Queensland's climate scientists have a reputation for high quality science and I look forward to participating in their research and modelling. The opportunity will greatly improve the Met Office's climate science research."

A climate modelling project at the QCCCE will contribute towards the next assessment for the United Nations' Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC).

Ms Jones added: "Collaboration with international research groups of the standing of the UK Hadley Centre will enhance this important modelling project."